- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Rash of EBT thefts reported in Lake County
Lake County News has received reports of community members having thousands of dollars taken from their cards, leaving them unable to pay for rent, groceries and other needs.
Crystal Markytan, director of Lake County Social Services, confirmed to Lake County News that the thefts have been occurring.
“We are able to reimburse victims for loss of their most recent monthly allotment but cannot reimburse over that amount for those recipients who have over one month's allotment stored on their card,” said Markytan.
Markytan added, “This is part of a statewide problem that we have been fortunate enough to largely avoid.”
Rachael Dillman, deputy director over Social Services’ eligibility and employment services, is tracking and reporting the thefts to the state.
Dillman said Lake County residents who are holders of electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, cards are experiencing theft by skimming and scamming.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that skimming occurs when cardholders’ PINs are captured by devices that are illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals or fuel pumps.
Criminals then use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and steal from victims’ accounts, the FBI reported.
“It is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year,” the FBI said on a webpage dedicated to explaining skimming.
Until this month, Dillman said Social Services clients had experienced very little skimming or scamming theft in Lake County, although larger counties throughout the state have been experiencing it for the last few years.
“With each replacement from EBT skimming/scamming theft, we also make a referral to law enforcement for investigation. That does not bar customers from making their own report to law enforcement if they wish to do so,” Dillman said.
She said that from June 1 to 5 alone, there were 49 total cases of skimming/scamming, resulting in $45,325 being stolen. Of that, $41,588 was replaced.
Of those theft cases, Dillman said 37 involved CalWORKs clients, with $34,796 stolen, all of which was replaced.
The remaining 12 clients are in the CalFresh Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, program, with $10,529 stolen and $6,792 replaced, Dillman said.
She explained that with CalFresh, Social Services can only replace a maximum of one month's benefits, so if customers were saving up multiple months of benefits, they may have had more stolen than can be replaced under the regulations.
Dillman has been in contact with the California Department of Social Services, and their advice is that customer education is the key to prevention.
As such, Dillman said Social Services has made several postings over the last few months on its Facebook page to educate customers.
In addition, Dillman said the agency has posted notices in its lobbies and handed out informational material to customers when they get their EBT cards.
“I’ve also set a mass emergency text to go out to all customers enrolled to receive text messages reminding them of EBT security and to report theft,” Dillman said.
Safety tips
The Department of Social Services offered the following safety tips to prevent skimming and scamming theft.
If you have an EBT card, follow these tips to keep your benefits safe:
• Keep your PIN and card number secret
• Cover your hand when typing in your PIN
• Change your PIN often, at least once a month the day BEFORE your benefits become available
• Do NOT click on any links from text messages or emails regarding your EBT card
• Watch out for suspicious websites
• Protect your benefits, keep track of your balances daily. There are three ways to check your balance: online at www.ebt.ca.gov or www.benefitscal.com; all 1-877-328-9677, available 24/7; and check your receipt after each purchase.
If you get cash aid, sign up for direct deposit if possible. Bank cards with smart chips are more secure. The state of California is working on updating EBT cards to smart chips, but that won’t begin until 2024.
Check out this video for more safety tips: https://youtu.be/opg52FxKoSo.
Report theft
If you believe your food or cash benefits have been stolen, please call the EBT Customer Services Helpline 24/7 at 1-877-328-9677 or visit your county office right away, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., telephone 707-995-4200, TTY 711, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake.
You may be eligible to have the stolen benefits replaced by completing the EBT 2259 form. You may also wish to file a police report, but that is not required to have your benefits replaced, the Social Services Department reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.